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Officials' Rose Parade advice: Don't bring a tent, wear a jacket

December 29, 2012 | 12:44
pm

Days before a procession of colorful floats begins rolling through downtown Pasadena, Rose Parade officials have issued some advice for the thousands of spectators expected to crowd the 5.5-mile route on Tuesday.

For starters, don't bring tents, sofas or boxes that can be used as seats or stools, all of which are banned. And don't bring fireworks or start a bonfire. Also, officials warned against flinging any projectiles onto the parade route, pointing out tortillas, marshmallows or flowers as examples.

They offered some other guidelines: Overnight camping is permitted only on Monday night, before the parade; the only way to hold onto that prime spot is to stand vigil, which you can begin doing at 12 p.m. Monday, and no public areas -- sidewalks, curbs, gutters, streets -- can be cordoned off; and children younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult on the route between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Those camping overnight, especially children and seniors, should dress in thick layers to guard against the cold. Pets, officials said, are not recommended, if the animal is frightened by sudden, loud noises.

And spectators who bring a small grill must make sure it is at least a foot off the ground and must be kept 25 feet away from buildings and other combustible items. Be sure to have a fire extinguisher and water on hand.

In case of emergency, officials said to call (626) 744-4241 from a cellphone or 911 from a landline, and be prepared to give a location.

The 124th Rose Parade -- this year's theme: "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" -- begins at 8 a.m. Tuesday at the corner of Green Street and Orange Grove Boulevard, continues over two hours at a 2.5-mph pace onto Colorado Boulevard for the longest stretch and ends at Sierra Madre Boulevard and Villa Street.

The weather is expected to be partly cloudy and chilly, with a low of 43 degrees the night before the parade, according to a National Weather Service forecast. But that's expected to give way to sunny skies and a high of 60 degrees Tuesday.